Vacant job

The School of Textiles at the Academy of Textile, Technology and Economics is a center for competence supply in the textile and fashion sector. We offer education at undergraduate and advanced levels, as well as doctoral level, within the field of Textile and Fashion. Our operations are based on multidisciplinary collaboration between artistic and technical design, textile technology, and management.

Learn more about the Academy (https://www.hb.se/om-hogskolan/jobba-hos-oss/lar-kanna-oss/jobba-hos-oss-pa-akademin-for-textil-teknik-och-ekonomi/)

About the Research Project

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher in textile technology with a focus on pain treatment using textiles. The project tests the so-called MH (machine-to-human)-touch hypothesis as a method for alleviating chronic pain. Through stimulation via the activation of a specific class of mechanoreceptors in the skin, C-LTMRs, there is a downregulation of the pain experience. Textile actuation is a strong research field at the School of Textiles, with several ongoing and completed projects. Textile actuation involves manufacturing fibers and textile materials capable of exerting perceived mechanical force on their surroundings and/or changing their own shape. This is combined with the study of neurological effects. Such neurotextiles also explore the fundamentals of the textile's fundamental haptic role in human life. Response will be measured using biomarkers as a complement to classical self-assessment scales. Collaboration with hospitals, patients, other universities, and companies is included.

Your Responsibilities

The position includes the following tasks:

• Conduct scientific studies regarding textile actuation and pain.
• Manufacture actuating fibers, woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics using textile techniques and form factors.
• Produce textile test instruments through garment manufacturing (confection).
• Perform textile characterization and studies of actuation capability.
• Participate in the execution of clinical studies and analyze outcomes through biomarkers, pain assessment scales, and user experiences.
• Scientific reporting and presentation, including writing scientific articles.

No institutional teaching duties are planned for this position.

You will join the research group Polymeric e-textiles, led by Associate Professor Nils-Krister Persson.

Read more about the research group (https://www.hb.se/forskning/forskningsportal/forskargrupper/polymera-e-textiler/)

Your Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must have:

• A PhD with a focus on soft robotics or actuation, or a corresponding area assessed by the employer as equivalent, along with a bachelor's or master's degree in materials science, biotechnology, textile technology, human-machine interaction, or a corresponding area assessed by the employer as equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience in actuation and/or soft robotics.
• Basic knowledge of electronics.
• Good ability to collaborate with internal and external parties, take initiative, work systematically, and prioritize tasks.
• Good communicative skills in English, both spoken and written.

Merits:

• Experience in developing textile prototypes, products, or processes.
• Knowledge of physiology and biology.
• Knowledge and experience in industrial weaving, knitting, dyeing, and garment manufacturing.
• Experience in mechanical modeling, such as finite element method.
• Experience working with healthcare personnel and patients.
• Good knowledge of statistical methods, including non-parametric methods.
• Knowledge of user experience (UX).
• Publications in leading scientific journals within the doctoral field.

Your Employment

Employment Type: Employment according to the Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher, permanent contract but limited to a maximum of two years. A prerequisite for applying this agreement is that the employee has not previously been employed as a postdoctoral researcher under this agreement for more than one year in the same or related field with the same employer.

Extent: 100%

Start Date: October 1, 2026, or as agreed.

Location: Borås.

Reference Number: PA2026/145

Department: Department of Textile Technology, with Anders Persson as the immediate supervisor.

How to Apply

Please submit your complete application, including the reference number and attachments, via our recruitment system by July 31.

Information on the application process (https://www.hb.se/om-hogskolan/jobba-hos-oss/sa-har-soker-du-jobb-hos-oss/)

University West encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and strengthens our operations. We strive for gender balance and value diversity.

Want to know more?

University West is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation time, and a favorable occupational pension.

See more about benefits (https://www.hb.se/om-hogskolan/jobba-hos-oss/formaner/)

More about working with us (https://www.hb.se/om-hogskolan/jobba-hos-oss/)

Contact the person below if you want to know more about your new job:

Recruiting Manager (https://www.hb.se/forskning/forskningsportal/forskare/ANPN/)

Union Questions:

Saco-S: Sunil Kumar, 033-435 40 00.
OFR/S: Reachable via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

We decline all direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of recruitment advertisements.